As a masculine gay man who was a stereotypically pansy little boy but grew out of it—as many of us do—I’m interested in unpacking the concept of the “homosexual transsexual” as described by Ray Blanchard.
As I understand it, Blanchard posits that some same-sex–attracted males transition not out of autogynephilic motivation, but because they believe their only route to intimacy with men is by presenting as women. In other words, they adopt a female identity to attract male partners—not because they fetishize being female, but because they feel there is no viable path to being loved as a gay man.
I question this. I cannot imagine a gay male destroying what makes him male and masculine in order to have sex with men. I suspect that many who fall into this category are from highly marginalized, often deeply homophobic environments. They may be effeminate and unaware that even feminine gay men can live openly and find love or sex with other men. Even if they are aware, the social penalties for coming out may be so severe that transitioning feels like the only survivable option.
I don't want to believe that “homosexual transsexuals” constitute a stable subculture. To me, they are victims of circumstance who deserve support—not affirmation of a mistaken belief that their sexual orientation requires medical transition.
That’s my view. I’d be curious to hear from researchers: What does current evidence say about this population? Has Blanchard’s typology held up under scrutiny or revision? And what kinds of interventions might better serve these individuals before they make irreversible decisions?
I think most people are squeamish to talk about how sex and relationships really work for trans people. I have an aquaintance who is a trans women and came out in her late 50's. Her wife decided to stay with her. The nature of their relationship is quite unclear. Is the wife now considered a lesbian because she stayed with her trans woman partner? It seems to me that being truly trans would be a rarity because it seems evolutionarily dysfunctional and confusing. I wonder if the activists have pulled the wool over our eyes because most people just don't want to deal with imagining trans sex, bodily mutilation and unclear relationship paths. On the other hand, gayness is straight forward and easy to understand.
As a masculine gay man who was a stereotypically pansy little boy but grew out of it—as many of us do—I’m interested in unpacking the concept of the “homosexual transsexual” as described by Ray Blanchard.
As I understand it, Blanchard posits that some same-sex–attracted males transition not out of autogynephilic motivation, but because they believe their only route to intimacy with men is by presenting as women. In other words, they adopt a female identity to attract male partners—not because they fetishize being female, but because they feel there is no viable path to being loved as a gay man.
I question this. I cannot imagine a gay male destroying what makes him male and masculine in order to have sex with men. I suspect that many who fall into this category are from highly marginalized, often deeply homophobic environments. They may be effeminate and unaware that even feminine gay men can live openly and find love or sex with other men. Even if they are aware, the social penalties for coming out may be so severe that transitioning feels like the only survivable option.
I don't want to believe that “homosexual transsexuals” constitute a stable subculture. To me, they are victims of circumstance who deserve support—not affirmation of a mistaken belief that their sexual orientation requires medical transition.
That’s my view. I’d be curious to hear from researchers: What does current evidence say about this population? Has Blanchard’s typology held up under scrutiny or revision? And what kinds of interventions might better serve these individuals before they make irreversible decisions?
Thank you for this. I agree with the points you make
I think most people are squeamish to talk about how sex and relationships really work for trans people. I have an aquaintance who is a trans women and came out in her late 50's. Her wife decided to stay with her. The nature of their relationship is quite unclear. Is the wife now considered a lesbian because she stayed with her trans woman partner? It seems to me that being truly trans would be a rarity because it seems evolutionarily dysfunctional and confusing. I wonder if the activists have pulled the wool over our eyes because most people just don't want to deal with imagining trans sex, bodily mutilation and unclear relationship paths. On the other hand, gayness is straight forward and easy to understand.